HCDE continued to showcase its creativity, innovation and award-winning work in communications and marketing this week at the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) annual conference in Sugar Land.
Aptly-themed “Livin’ the School PR Sweet Life” as a nod to the host city, the event brought together more than 850 public information, marketing and school communications professionals who serve Texas public school districts and education associations, foundations and organizations for professional development, resources and networking opportunities. Team members from the Communications & Creative Services and Marketing & Client Engagement (MCE) divisions attended and led sessions and roundtable discussions, showcased HCDE services at a vendor table and took home a total of 31 State Awards.
HCDE Superintendent James Colbert Jr. and Chief Communications Officer Danielle Clark led a standing-room-only session for the second consecutive year. The corporate showcase presentation, “Secret Sauce 2.0: The Strategy Behind Convocation,” built on last year’s session (“The Secret Sauce for Success”) and outlined how communication professionals and their superintendents can create memorable experiences for staff at convocations to boost district morale.
Colbert also participated in the Superintendent’s Panel on Thursday morning, joining Dr. Tiffany Spicer (Buna ISD), Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora (Tomball ISD) and Dr. Robert Bostic (Stafford MSD) for a discussion on various topics surrounding school public relations and the landscape of education.
Clark led a pre-conference session on professional advancement, outlining how advanced certifications and graduate degrees can help shape one’s career as a communications professional.
MCE Director Stephanie De Los Santos led a session on Associated Press Style, while her team led a session on successful event planning and run of show execution. Assistant Director Janet Wachs hosted a roundtable showcasing Choice Partners and how to access vetted vendors through membership in a cooperative.
In the Star Awards competition, HCDE earned 31 awards honoring team members’ work in publications, newsletter (The Connector), photography, video, logo design and marketing campaigns, including a Crystal Commendation of Merit, 20 Gold Star and eight Silver Star Awards.